I've been practicing Maiden's Prayer this morning, here's what I came up with. Some of the stuff around the frog get a little bouncy and the double stops aren't as clean as I'd like ... anyway would love to get some feedback.

The duet was SWEET!!!!!! > I kept thinking > I gots to see the dog and then BANG there was the dog.

I always enjoy what you bring to the forum > your style seems to be the way I am going on the viddle > I really liked the vid angle you got on this one. It gives me a good start on how I can approach this tune.

Thanks for being here > you ROCK!!!

Fiddlerman

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June 21, 2014 - 6:22 pm

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Thanks for the post. I think a lot of players will appreciate the sky view for copying your fingering.
You have a great feel for this music. I really enjoyed it.

As far as critique, At times you need to soften your attacks so as not to crush the sound or balance the pressure with more bow movement. Maybe loosen up your right hand fingers a bit and not lift the bow more than necessary (hard to tell from the sky view). Even though your intonation is good, you need to keep it in mind ALL the time. (Who doesn't? LOL)

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

fiddlinsteudel

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June 21, 2014 - 10:21 pm

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@coolpinkone - I learned my version by watching an Ian Walsh video, but I think you can buy his full lessons which include backing tracks and sheet music. This is the link to his video:

@StoneDog -Thanks! She did such a great job I had to have a picture of her in the vid.

@Fiddlerman - Thanks Pierre. I'll work on those attacks and see if I can smooth it out. It's interesting because I mostly play faster tunes so I think playing this slower tune has really exposed some technique problems that wouldn't be apparent in a fast tune. I'm going to go and do some slow a scales and diatonic arpeggios and see if I can improve the sound and intonation.

WAY better Maidens Prayer without the crunch:)
Your weakness lies at the lower half of the bow. When practicing your full bow scales, lift the elbow slightly higher. Lead with your elbow while playing the up bow towards the frog then drop it slightly before changing the bow. Think of a boat going over a wave if that makes any sense. Otherwise you put your wrist at a very vulnerable angle not best suited for finger flexibility.
Do the scales from frog using mostly the lower portion to exercise your weak points. It's actually much more difficult to bow at the frog for everyone.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

fiddlinsteudel

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June 22, 2014 - 4:17 pm

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Ok Pierre here was a go at raising that elbow up, I'm not sure that I was dropping when I changed directions, but it felt easier playing at the frog:

Mark... thanks for the soundcloud links. I will see what I can do with the video and the clips. (I am ear playing challenged)... hooked on Sheet. But we will see what I can do. Thanks for posting.

Love to watch your videos. Kudos for getting some tips for Pierre and being brave to play it out here in the group. We all learn from that interaction.

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

Fiddlerman

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June 24, 2014 - 9:27 am

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fiddlinsteudel said
Would it be normal to feel tired in the shoulder after switching to this arm position? Or am I maybe tensing something too much?

Of course it's normal. I didn't want to say anything because exaggeration is a good way to later get to a happy median. I was almost going to warn you that you were going to get tired in your shoulder if you lift too much. You want to lift enough that your wrist has a much straighter angle but not so much that it's uncomfortable. However, some of those bow changes were FANTASTIC.....

I think you can see that too - right???

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

fiddlinsteudel

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June 24, 2014 - 12:34 pm

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Yeah I could definitely feel it. Some of the times through the low part it just felt easy, whereas before it felt cumbersome down at the frog. I'll keep practicing that and work on moving that elbow down just a bit till it's more comfortable.